Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, 2025

Deng, Min, Watson, Gillian W. & Xing, Jichun, 2025, Description of a new species of Marsipococcus Cockerell & Bueker (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from China, with a key to all the species, Zootaxa 5588 (2), pp. 351-362 : 352-361

Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing , sp. nov.

Figs 1–6

Material examined. Holotype: adult ♀, CHINA: Guizhou Prov., / Libo County, Maolan National Nature Reserve , / 25°20′7398″N, 107º94′72″E, / 706.7 m altitude, / on Bridelia retusa (L.) A. Juss, 1824 ( Phyllanthaceae ), / 11.July.2024, / Min Deng and Shangmi Hu leg., mounted singly on a slide ( GUGC) ( Fig. 1 ) . Paratypes: Same collection data as holotype, 6 adult ♀♀, 3 adult ♂♂, all mounted singly on slides ( Fig. 1 ) ( BFUC) .

Etymology. The species name maolanensis is composed of maolan, from the name of the Maolan National Nature Reserve in China from where the species was collected, combined with the Latin –ensis, an adjectival suffix indicating place of origin.

Adult female

Appearance in life ( Fig. 2 C–E ). Adult female mostly flat but slightly convex in median area; body oval, widest at anterior of abdomen; extremities rounded. Median area of mature adult female brownish, surrounded by a diffuse yellow border that merges into transparent submarginal and marginal areas ( Fig. 2C, D ). Margin with fine, whitish marginal setae (each coated with wax secretion, making them look long), visible to the naked eye against dark green leaf. Eyes minute, black, situated almost dorsad to antennal bases. ( Fig. 2 E, F ).

Slide-mounted adult female (n=3) ( Figs 3 , 4 ). Body broadly oval, 5.1‒6.4 (5.1) mm long, 3.7‒4.7 (4.1) mm wide. Stigmatic clefts distinct and moderately deep, each reniform. Anal cleft approximately 1/4 to 1/6 of body length, closely appressed.

Dorsum. Derm membranous except for a narrow, heavily sclerotised crescent along inner margin of each stigmatic cleft ( Fig. 4G ), and around anal plates; derm with a series of irregularly shaped areolations. With faint radial lines extending medially from margin as follows: 5 on head between anterior stigmatic clefts ( Fig. 3 ); and on each side, extending medially: 1 from each cleft; 1 on thorax between clefts; and 5 on abdomen; radial lines arising from anterior spiracular clefts and anteriormost on dorsum both extend across the entire body width ( Fig. 3 ). Dorsal setae ( Fig. 4A ) very small, setose, slightly curved, often erect so difficult to measure, each 6.0‒10.0 (7.5) μm long, restricted to submedial area anterior to anal plates; these setae often each situated next to opening of a microduct. Microducts each with an inner filament ( Fig. 4B ), difficult to see; microduct openings all of 1 size, each 2.5‒3.0 (2.5) μm wide, scattered throughout but more numerous in medial areas of abdomen and thorax. Preopecular pores absent. Dorsal tubercles and tubular ducts absent. Anal plates together elongate oval ( Fig. 4C ), combined width 237‒270 (266) μm; each plate 222‒245 (241) μm long, with 2 setae on inner margin near apex, anteriormost seta about 10.0–12.5 μm long, other seta about 6.5–7.5 μm long; outer margin of plate with 2 setae near apex, anteriormost seta about 5.0–5.2 μm long, other seta 13.8–15.0 μm long, also with 7‒11 transparent spots beside outer edge ( Fig. 4C ). Anogenital fold ( Fig. 4D ) with 2 pairs of setae on anterior margin, mesad setae each 7.9.‒11.8 (11.8) μm long, outer setae each 22.5‒25.0 (22.5) μm long; each anterolateral margin of anal cleft with 1 seta 31‒35 (32) μm long. Anal ring ( Fig. 4E ) 18‒21 (18) μm wide, with 2 rows of pores and bearing 8 setae, each seta 45‒48 (47) μm long. Eyespots each 47‒58 (55) μm in diameter, located well onto dorsum, anterior to level of antennal base and 386‒437 (420) μm from margin.

Margin. Marginal setae spinose ( Fig. 4F, L ), each sharply pointed, some slightly curved at apex, each 15‒25 (20) μm long, with a broad basal socket; arranged in a single row, abundant, each side with 74‒91 setae between apex of head and anterior stigmatic cleft, 63‒70 setae between stigmatic clefts, and 161‒165 setae between posterior stigmatic cleft and anal cleft. Each stigmatic cleft deep, crescent-shaped, inner margin with narrow strip of sclerotization, and with 2 stigmatic spines of similar length, each with parallel sides and a rounded apex, 85‒98 μm long ( Fig. 4G ), situated singly, one on each lateral margin of cleft.

Venter. Derm entirely membranous except for outer end of each stigmatic furrow with a short, sclerotized section. Derm with abundant obvious small clear patches, Pregenital disc-pores absent. Spiracular disc-pores each 1.4‒1.8 (1.5) μm wide, mostly each with 5 loculi (but a few with 4 or 6) ( Fig. 4H ), some pores surrounded by a sclerotised ring, others not; each spiracular band 4‒6 pores wide, running between spiracular opening and margin in a stigmatic groove that is sclerotised near margin; each anterior band containing 138‒153 pores and each posterior band with 168–188 pores. Preantennal pores absent. Ventral microducts ( Fig. 4I ) very sparse throughout, most frequent in submarginal zone between stigmatic clefts, each duct orifice minute and oval with a long inner ductule. Ventral tubular ducts all of 1 type ( Fig. 4J ), each with long, narrow outer ductule about 4.5 μm long, and narrow inner ductule about 2.0 μm long ending in a terminal gland; restricted to a group of 28‒32 ducts on either side of genital opening. Minute ventral setae frequent in submarginal to submedian areas, each about 1.5 μm long ( Fig. 4K ), present on either side of each abdominal segment, each side with 46‒53 setae between apex of head and anterior stigmatic cleft, 23‒27 setae between anterior and posterior stigmatic clefts, and 72‒75 setae between posterior stigmatic cleft and anal cleft. With 3 or 4 short setae near each meso- and metacoxa, and 1 short seta near each procoxa. A pair of long setae present on pregenital segment VII, each 35‒48 (48) μm long; 1 pair of moderately long setae present on abdominal segment VI, each 32‒41 (33) μm long, accompanied by 4‒6 surrounding setae; and 1 pair of short setae present on segment V, each 23‒27 (25) μm long; metathorax with a single seta, 6‒8 (6) μm long, on mid-ventral line; further forward, 1 pair of short setae present posterior to mouthparts. Interantennal setae numbering 3 pairs, shortest setae each 8‒10 (10) μm long, medium-sized setae each measuring 12‒14 (12) μm and longest, each 18‒20 (20) μm long. Antennae ( Fig. 4M ) well developed, each 8 segmented, total length 386‒437 (397) μm, with third segment longest, 55‒60 (58) μm long. Setal distribution on antenna: scape with 3 hair-like setae; pedicel, 2 hair-like; segment III, 2 hair-like; IV, 4 hair-like; V, 0; VI, 3 hair-like and 1 fleshy seta; and apical segment with 3 fleshy setae, 3 stiff setae and 1 hair-like seta; terminal stiff seta 19.5‒23.5 (21.5) μm long. Clypeolabral shield 293‒320 (295) μm long, bearing 1 pair of setae, each seta 13‒15 (15) μm long; labium three segmented in adult stage, often longer than clypeolabral shield, with 4 pairs of setae, longest seta 14‒16 (15) μm long. Spiracles moderately large; each anterior peritreme 81‒85 (85) μm wide, each posterior peritreme 85‒88 (83) μm wide. Legs well developed ( Fig. 4N ), segmentation between tibia and tarsus obscure; lengths (in μm): total length of metathoracic leg 767‒842 (788), coxa 168‒195 (181), trochanter+femur 306‒318 (315), tibia+tarsus 298‒330 (323), claw 37‒39 (38). Setal distribution on hind leg: coxa with 3 setae, longest about 26‒35 (33) μm long; trochanter with 4, longest about 92‒97 (95) μm; femur with 2, tibia + tarsus with 10; tarsal digitules similar, both much longer than claw, each about 44‒50 (45) μm long; claw without a denticle, claw digitules with expanded tips, similar, each about 20.5‒26.5 (25.5) μm long.

Remarks. The adult female M. maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing , sp. n. can be easily separated from that of M. marsupialis as it lacks both ventral multilocular disc-pores and dorsal preopercular pores (both present in M. marsupialis ). Marsipococcus maolanensis is also easily distinguished from M. christopheri by having (character states of M. christopheri given in parenthesis): (i) anal plates 237‒270 μm long (150‒165 μm long); (ii) antennae each 8 segmented (6 segmented); (iii) ventral tubular ducts present in a group on either side of genital opening (tubular ducts absent from venter); (iv) with a total of 5 pale radial lines on head, and 5 on each side of abdomen (with a total of 7 radial lines on head, and 7 on each side of abdomen); and (v) marginal setae on each side of abdomen numbering 161‒165 (67‒75).

Marsipococcus maolanensis is also easily distinguished from M. ulubendulensis by having (character states of M. ulubendulensis given in parenthesis): (i) body apices rounded (obviously pointed); (ii) marginal setae abundant, with 161‒165 on each side of abdomen (72‒76), and (iii) dorsal pores all of one type (of two types).

Marsipococcus maolanensis is very close to M. brideliae , but can be distinguished by (character states of M. brideliae given in parenthesis): (i) antennae eight segmented (seven segmented); (ii) anal plates together oval, each outer edge with 7‒11 transparent spots (anal plates together approximately quadrate, each outer edge without transparent spots); (iii) spiracular disc-pores very numerous, each anterior band containing 138‒153 and each posterior band with 168-188 pores (spiracular disc-pores fewer, each anterior band containing 45‒57 and each posterior band with 52‒63 pores); and (iv) derm with abundant, obvious small clear patches (derm without small clear patches).

Ecological note. Specimens of M.maolanensis were found in a symbiotic relationship with the ant Crematogaster rogenhoferi Mayr, 1878 ( Hymenoptera : Formicidae : Myrmicinae) on the leaves of Bridelia retusa (L.) A. Juss, 1824 ( Phyllanthaceae ). The ants were feeding on the honeydew eliminated by the scale insects. Female and male scales at various developmental stages were usually found together.

Adult male

Appearance in life ( Fig. 5A–D ). Body yellowish-brown. Penial sheath straight, about 1/5th of total body length; antennae almost as long as body; wing petaliform, about 5/6th of total body length.

Slide-mounted adult male (n=1) ( Fig. 6 ): Body of moderate size, total length about 2.44–2.85 mm, width across triangular plates about 728–831 μm.Antennae each about same length as body; head with 4 pairs of particularly large simple eyes; head and rest of body with almost no setae, those present all hair-like (hs). Fleshy setae (fs) restricted to appendages and usually easy to distinguish from hs; procoxae without coxal bristles; trochanterofemoral articulation clear. Caudal extensions on abdominal segment VII rounded ( Fig. 6D ); 1 pair of glandular pouches present but glandular pouch setae significantly different, one much stouter and longer than other ( Fig. 6D ).

Head. Roughly diamond shaped, about 371–376 μm long, width across genae 295–318 μm. Setae few. Median crest (mc) well developed, with narrow reticulate striations ( Fig. 6A ); postoccipital ridge (por) indicated by pale area of sclerotisation; with a total of 4 or 5 pairs of hs dorsal head setae. Mid-cranial ridge (vmcr) absent dorsally; ventrally, mid-cranial ridge narrow but well defined, extending posteriorly as far as ocular sclerite, with a lightly reticulated margin; with 4 or 5 ventral mid-cranial ridge setae (vmcrs) present laterad to ridge. Preocular ridge (procr) short dorsally but complete ventrally, extending from each scape to ventral mid-cranial ridge. Ocular sclerite (ocs) with well-defined polygonal reticulations, each reticulation without inner micro-ridges. Genae (g) large and membranous, without genal setae (gs) but with many polygonal reticulations without inner microridges. Eyes: four pairs of particularly large, protuberant, round simple eyes, all subequal in size, each 54–65 μm wide, 1 pair dorsal (dse) and 1 pair ventral (vse). Ocelli (o) each oval, maximum width about 21–25 μm. Postocular ridge (pocr) dorsally extending medially to median crest (dividing around each ocellus). Dorsal ocular setae absent, but with a small seta between postocular ridge (pocr) and median crest (mc).

Antennae each 10 segmented and filiform; total antenna length about 2.0– 2.2 mm; segment measurements (in μm): scape (segment I) (scp) 13 long, 13–15 wide; pedicel (segment II) (pdc) 10–13 long, 11–13 wide; segments III–X each 15–20 wide; III 46–54 long; IV 95–98 long; V 130–160 long; VI 141–145 long; VII 115–120 long; VIII 80–85 long; IX 85–95 long; and X 28–35 long. Other antennal details (measurements in μm): scape (scp) with 3 hs; pedicel (pdc) apparently with transverse reticulations, with 12 or 13 hs (setae mainly on ventral surface), campaniform pore present; segments III–X each with 6–8 long fs, but segments IV–X with several much larger fs, each seta up to 15–17 long, possibly antennal bristles (abs), much larger and long. Approximate number of setae per antennal segment: III, 7–10 fs + 0–2 hs; IV, 16–20 fs + 1 or 2 hs; V and VI combined, 35–40 fs; VII, 28–36 fs + 0 or 1 hs + 1 antennal bristle (ab); VIII, 15 or 16 fs + 1 ab; IX, 11–14 fs + 5 ab; and X with 11–11 fs + 5 ab and 2 capitate setae (caps).

Thorax. Prothorax: pronotal ridge (prnr) well developed, probably not fused medially; pronotal sclerite (prn) narrow; without lateral pronotal setae. Post-tergites (pt) faint; without post-tergital setae. Medial pronotal and other dorsal and pleural setae absent. Proepisternum + cervical sclerite (pepcv) well developed. Sternum (stn 1) without a strong transverse ridge; median ridge poorly developed or obscure; sternite without dermal ridges; prosternal, anteprosternal and antemesospiracular setae absent.

Mesothorax strongly convex in life. Dorsally: prescutum (prsc) 50–65 μm long, 105–116 μm wide; prescutal setae (prscs) absent; prescutal ridge (pscr) and prescutal suture (pscs) well developed. Scutum: median membranous area (sma) probably about 65–75 μm long, 125–116 μm wide, with 3 pairs small hs scutal setae; lateral margins of membranous area sclerotised; scutum without polygonal nodulations laterad to scutellum. Scutellum (scl) 52–63 μm long, 125–127 μm wide; with a large foramen; scutellar setae (scts) absent. Mesepisternum (eps 2) not nodulated. Postalare (pa) without postalare setae. Tegula (teg) with 15–20 hs tegular setae (tegs). Ventrally: basisternum (stn 2) large, about 95–105 μm long, 110–116 μm wide; median ridge (mdr) well developed and complete; bounded anteriorly by strong marginal ridges (mr) and posteriorly by strong precoxal ridges (pcr 2); without basisternal setae; lateropleurite (lpl) with extension from marginal ridge laterally poorly defined or absent; furca (f) well developed and extending anteriorly about half-way to anterior margins. Subepisternal ridge (ser) well developed. Mesothoracic spiracle (sp 2): peritreme about 30–34 μm wide; postmesospiracular and antemetaspiracular setae absent. Mesopostnotum (pn) normally developed.

Metathorax. Dorsally: with 0 or 1 pair of metatergal setae. Metapostnotum (pn 2) small and narrow. Ventral part of metapleural ridge (plr 3) well developed but dorsal part absent; metepisternum (eps 3) lightly sclerotized, without postmetaspiracular setae; metepimeron (epm 3) short, without setae. Metathoracic spiracle (sp 3): peritreme about 29–34 μm wide. Dorsospiracular setae absent. Metasternum (stn 3) membranous and not reticulated. Anterior metasternal and posterior metasternal setae absent.

Wings hyaline; of moderate length and width, about 0.3 mm long, 0.15 mm wide (ratio of length to width 1: 0.5) ( Fig. 6B ). Alar setae, alar lobes and sensoria absent. Hamulohalteres absent.

Legs. Metathoracic legs perhaps marginally longest; all segments with many setae, mainly fs. Coxa (cx): lengths (in μm): prothoracic leg (I) 53–50, mesothoracic leg (II) 55, metathoracic leg (III) 56–65; each procoxa without coxal bristles; metacoxa with about 20–30 fs + 5–7 hs. Trochanterofemur (tfm) with distinct diagonal segmentation; lengths (in μm): I, 228–243; II, 225–245, III, 225–238; each trochanter with 2 pairs of small campaniform sensilla; ‘long’ trochanteral seta barely differentiated from other setae; each femur with many fs + fewer hs. Tibia (ti) lengths (in μm): I, 315–325; II, 345–363; III, 345–365; metatibia with many fs + a few hs, setae becoming spur-like distally on ventral margin; apical spur (tibs) long and strong, each about 18–22 μm long. Tarsus (ta) lengths (μm): I, 69–85; II, 70; III, 70; metatarsi with many fs + a few hs, many spur-like, and with a scaly surface; tarsal campaniform pore absent; distal tarsal spur (tars) about 12–15 long; tarsal digitules (tdt) shorter than claw. Claws (c) short, each about 18 μm long, shorter than width of tarsi, each with a distinct denticle (cd) about halfway along plantar surface; claw digitules (cdt) of slightly different thicknesses, both with small capitate apices, each about as long as claw ( Fig. 6C ).

Abdomen. Segments I–VIII: tergites absent; sternites only apparent on segment VIII. Caudal extensions of segment VII distinct, rounded and each as long as or longer than those of VIII; those on segment VIII short and rounded, each with 3 shortish hs pleural setae. Dorsal abdominal setae absent; with 0 or 1 ante-anal setae (aas) on segment VIII. Pleural setae all hs; dorsal and ventral pleural setae (vps) few. Ventral abdominal setae all hs; number of pairs: VIII, 0; VII–II each with 1 segmental pair. Glandular pouches (ads) deep, each divided into an inner and an outer section; containing 18‒20 disc-pores, plum-blossom shaped, each 2.8‒3.1 μm wide, with 5 loculi; glandular pouch setae (gls) dissimilar, with one longer and stouter, about 110–130 μm long, and other a little shorter, about 80‒90 μm long.

Genital segment. Penial sheath (ps) typical of male Coccidae ( Fig. 6D, E ): quite short, broad basally and gradually tapering to a blunt apex; 353–407 μm long, about 1/5th of total body length (ratio of total body length to penial sheath length 1: 0.14); width at base about 155–191 μm; with strongly sclerotised margins, with 14‒16 transparent spots in margins. Basal rod absent; aedeagus (aed) very broad (82–96 μm wide at base) and long (about 233–245 μm long), remaining subequal in width throughout its length, ending in what appears to be an inverted eversible endophallus (possibly with two sperm bundles inside). Lateral margins of penial sheath with a cluster of small sensillae (gtp) near apex. Apex of penial sheath with a cluster of small sensilla, and with about 8–10 small setae along each margin ( Fig. 6D ).

Remarks. The male of M. maolanensis shows some similarities to that of M. ulubendulensis , but can be distinguished by (character states of M. ulubendulensis given in parenthesis): (i) antennae 10 segmented (9 segmented); (ii) pedicel apparently with transverse reticulations (without transverse reticulations); (iii) antennae each almost as long as body (each about half as long as body); and (iv) tegula with 15–20 hs tegular setae (with 4–6 hs tegular setae).

Figures

FIGURE 1. The holotype slide (top) and a paratype slide (bottom) of Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, sp. nov.

FIGURE 2. Photographs of Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, sp. nov.: A, B: habitat and host plant; C, D: various developmental stages of both females and males, on a leaf with ants (Crematogaster rogenhoferi Mayr, 1878); E: dorsum of live adult female; F: venter of adult female.

FIGURE 3. Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, sp. nov., slide-mounted adult female, to show the number, positions and shapes of radial lines on the dorsum.

FIGURE 4. Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, sp. nov., adult female. A: dorsal setae; B: dorsal microduct; C: anal plates in dorsal view; D: anogenital fold; E: one side of anal ring, showing seta bases (black) and 2 rows of pores; F: marginal setae; G: stigmatic cleft and stigmatic spines; H: spiracular disc-pore; I: ventral microduct; J: ventral tubular duct; K: ventral seta; L: minute submarginal setae on either side of a large marginal seta; M: antenna; N: tibiotarsus, claw and digitules.

FIGURE 5. Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, sp. nov. A: photograph of both female and male scales at various developmental stages on a leaf with ants (Crematogaster rogenhoferi Mayr, 1878); B: glassy test secreted by secondinstar male, with glandular pouch wax tufts extending out from under test posteriorly; Adult male: C: Dorsal view; D: Ventral view.

FIGURE 6. Marsipococcus maolanensis Deng, Watson & Xing, sp. nov., macropterous male. A: Reticulations on median crest; B: Wing; C: Tarsus (ta), claw (c) and claw digitules (cdt); D: Dorsal view of penial sheath; E: Ventral view of penial sheath and minute setae with basal sockets.